Critical encounter at Pukekohe

Thames Valley have not beaten Counties Manukau in 12 matches since 1988.

They get another chance at Pukekohe today, in their NPC second division clash, but won't find it easy. The home side, after having last weekend off, are desperate to get themselves into semifinal contention. They have eight points, sit in sixth place, two points and one spot below Thames Valley.

Indeed, this looms as a critical game, with the loser left with an uphill job to make the top four.

"The side has grown in confidence in themselves and as a team," Thames Valley coach Leon Holden said.

The big game of the weekend has defending champions Hawkes Bay hosting the one team above them, Nelson Bays, in Napier today. Both have 18 points, but Nelson Bays have a superior differential.

Manawatu are on 11 points, and away to East Coast today. North Otago, on 10 points in fourth, host Marlborough in Oamaru.

King Country coach Gary Crossman intends to make a trip to the Lotto shop before the NPC third division match against Poverty Bay at Taupo today.

For the second successive week Crossman will field an unchanged XV, a luxury he admitted he is still coming to terms with.

"It's an absolute luxury, I'm going to go and buy a Lotto ticket," he said.

King Country have targeted bottom-placed Poverty Bay to pick up their second win of the competition and lift the side into a top four position. Both sides gained their first wins last week. King Country have moved to sixth, two above Poverty Bay.

Poverty Bay coach Tony Hyland does not share the same optimism as Crossman, with his team hard hit by injuries.

Hyland had also been hampered by the heavy rain in Gisborne which had disrupted training this week.

In the other third division games today, South Canterbury host Wanganui in Timaru, Horowhenua-Kapiti play Wairarapa Bush in Paraparaumu and West Coast play Buller in Greymouth.

- NZPA

NPC points table